The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has called on the UK government to address the recommendations from the National Preparedness Commission's latest report on food resilience. This report, authored by Professor Tim Lang, advocates for a transition from 'just-in-time' to 'just-in-case' logistics to enhance the resilience of food systems.
The report, titled 'Just in Case: 7 Steps to Narrow the UK Civil Food Resilience Gap,' underscores the need for urgent measures to fortify the nation's food supply against escalating global challenges. It identifies seven areas of concern and offers 15 actionable recommendations to bolster UK civil food security.
Among the recommendations are the introduction of a Food Security and Resilience Act, the reassessment of food as critical national infrastructure by Defra, and the creation of a national council for food security to provide consistent, evidence-based advice.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has emphasized the importance of food security, stating, "This report could not be clearer – food security is absolutely vital to our nation's resilience, but our current food system is not where it needs to be to withstand future crises." He highlighted recent crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, noting their impact on food supply.
Bradshaw pointed to factors like high input costs, climate change, and governmental budgetary decisions as affecting domestic food production. He urged policymakers to heed the report's recommendations, which were crafted by experts in security and crisis management.
Professor Lang noted the inadequacy of the UK's post-war food system, stressing the need to prioritize resilience. Lord Toby Harris, chair of the NPC, concluded that food security is integral to national resilience, with current risks more pronounced than before.
Source: NFU